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Members of AFI in their cramped Oakland studio (from top, left to right) : Lead singer Davey Havok, Adam Carson, Hunter (cq) and in foreground Jade Puget.
East Bay punk/hardcore band with a charismatic lead singer gets set to hit the big time after several years of rabid cult following. New record coming out on Geffen/Spielberg label DreamWorks.
CHRONICLE PHOTO BY MICHAEL MALONEY less

AFI09-C-21FEB03-DD-MJM
Members of AFI in their cramped Oakland studio (from top, left to right) : Lead singer Davey Havok, Adam Carson, Hunter (cq) and in foreground Jade Puget.
East Bay punk/hardcore band ... more

Photo: MICHAEL MALONEY

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SCISSOR SISTERS HANDOUT

SCISSOR SISTERS HANDOUT

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PUNK ROCK ORCHESTRA HANDOUT

PUNK ROCK ORCHESTRA HANDOUT

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POP BEAT

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Before MTV and the major labels came knocking, San Francisco ghoul- rock merchant AFI released six albums on independent label Nitro. On Nov. 2, new fans will be able to catch up with a self-titled 13-track compilation that also features a handful of rarities, but they might also find out that they didn't miss much.

NOFX's Fat Mike is sending several of the contributors to his recent "Rock Against Bush" compilation albums out on the road. Anti-Flag, Strike Anywhere, Midtown and Tom Morello's latest side-project Nightwatchman kick off a three-week tour Sept. 18 in Portland, Ore. As if anybody there still needs any convincing ... NOFX, meanwhile, can be heard alongside Taking Back Sunday, Coheed & Cambria, and others on the fourth volume of the "Take Action!" benefit album, out Oct. 5. Proceeds go to suicide-prevention group National Hopeline Network.

In October, former Dead Kennedys singer and news-magnet Jello Biafra releases his collaboration with the Melvins, "Never Breathe What You Can't See, " on Alternative Tentacles. They plan to tour together after the album's release.

Dashboard Confessional has been added to the bill at Alice 97.3 FM's "Now & Zen Fest" on Sept. 19 at Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park. Already onboard are '80s survivors Morrissey and Tears for Fears ... San Francisco's weekly Britpop club Popscene has lined up some stellar live sets for the fall, including a double bill Sept. 23 featuring British next-big-things the Delays and Hope of the States.

Scissor Sisters, featuring former San Francisco performance artist-singer and one-time Trannyshack regular Ana Matronic, return for a Sept. 27 show at the Fillmore ... The Punk Rock Orchestra annoys the neighbors Oct. 1-2 at the Swedish American Hall above Cafe Du Nord, followed Oct. 22 by French singer- songwriter Keren Ann.